I have to come right out and say it-- I've never been so enthusiastic about a "take-out" place after just 1 meal. Ever.
At work, the Godfather wanted to order (unusual for him to suggest it; usually I'm the 1 pushing for us to order out, and he's invariably resistant, although ultimately, he's acquiescent, although just as invariably he blames me for "pushing him into it" as he gobbles down whatever food it was we've ordered). I was willing but wanted to try something different than our usual fare (burgers, Chinese, Japanese, sandwiches). Someone else mentioned Exotic Eats, as a younger co-worker had ordered from there recently and seemed to enjoy what he had eaten. I asked, "Does this younger co-worker have a discriminating palate?" (Not actually being quite the jerk I oftentimes seem to be, I did of course use less pretentious, overblown verbiage in asking my question.) The reply was, "He's young; he'll order almost anything and like it." So...it might be great; it might be horrible.
So we took a chance. They deliver, and I was intrigued by their on-line menu. I can't remember what the Godfather ordered, or another co-worker who wanted us to include him in what had once been known as the Lunchbox Mafia, but I ordered "the Island Bowl." Sliced jerk chicken breast on a bed of Mac & Cheese with jerk BBQ sauce. Being hungry, I ordered a side of blueberry cornbread, and the dessert of banana pudding cheesecake. All of it washed down with my ever-present bottle of Poland Spring water.
We didn't have to wait long for it to be delivered. As I mentioned in my introductory remarks, I found the food fabulous. The jerk chicken in its BBQ sauce had a tangy sting, but it wasn't unpleasant or pain-producing. And I have to say-- the Mac & Cheese was the best I've had since my late mother used to make it for me in childhood. It's a baked "dry" Mac & Cheese as opposed to the overly sauced (and bland) version you get in most restaurants these days (all it was missing was the crumbled crackers that my mother used to put on top of it). Pure deliciousness, as they say. The blueberry cornbread was the perfect accompaniment, and the banana pudding cheesecake was wonderfully smooth, creamy, and decadent. I wasn't feeling bloated to the point of discomfort once I had finished it all, but I definitely felt "well fed."
My fellow partakers were equally as enthused. Prices were fair, portions were immeasurably more than adequate, and the meal was luxuriously satisfying on every single level. As mentioned, delivery didn't take long at all, and it arrived hot.
I'm not entirely sure how to classify the cuisine. The website described it as "Soul Food" with a "Caribbean Spirit." A long-time friend of mine is Jamaican, and she used to throw a big feast for friends and family every summer (I was usually the only white person invited, which was never any sort of a problem, although once a little kid of 4 or 5 looked at me with hostility and said, "What are YOU doing here?"), before health issues sidelined that annual event. She was a great cook, and everything was fresh-- jerk chicken, fish, ackee that always reminded me of scrambled eggs, breadfruit, sorrel liquor, etc. Despite the quality of the food served, I never really acquired a taste for Jamaican cuisine (I ventured out once to a Jamaican restaurant in Perth Amboy with friends; they were enthusiastic about it but it wasn't of the same quality as my friend served, and obviously didn't transform me into a "fan"), but I don't know that Exotic Eats is Jamaican per se.
But I know that what I had was delicious and filling, and I can't wait to order from Exotic Eats again.
Obviously, very highly recommended. read more